Symptoms

In addition to the obvious symptom of the newborn's blood type being different from that of the mother's, some other symptoms detectable in the newborn include:

• Anemia:  In both forms, ABO and Rh incompatibilities, anemia is caused by the mother's lingering antibodies that destroys the newborn's red blood cells faster than is normal.  This also usually causes the skin to be unusually pale.
• Hyperbilirubinemia:  The increased production and presence of bilirubin from the rapid destruction of red blood cells that eventually damages the liver.
• Enlarged liver:  This is caused by the damage done to the liver by hyperbilirubinemia.
• Enlarged spleen
• Kernicterus:  The symptom is also caused by excess bilirubin, but is considered to be the most severe form of hyperbilirubinemia.  This buildup of bilirubin is found in the brain, however, and can lead to more serious problems such as deafness, seizures, brain damage, and even death.
• Hydrops fetalis:  This is a severe form of Rh incompatibility, where it is marked by the buildup of fluid in the areas around the fetus' liver, spleen, heart, lungs, and/or abdomen, as well as an unusually high concentration of amniotic fluid and an enlarged placenta.
• Edema:  This is characterized by the swelling of a newborn's entire body, usually in conjuction with the presence of Hydrops fetalis.
• Jaundice:  Increased levels of bilirubin causes the yellowing of the newborn's umbilical cord and amniotic fluid, but is most evident in the skin and eyes.

-Teresa